Crestliner2008

Unfortunately, we don't have any "Mom & Pop" places around here anymore. They've all gone to make room for the bigger box stores. Of the three retailers listed in the original post, I would go to Cabela's first as it is not that far away from me (about 45 min.) and the selection is excellent. Dick's is only about 20 min. from me and has some great buys - occasionally! And it's convenient if I need something fast. BPS is almost 2 hrs. from me and their shipping cost is way too high; although I like their tackle selection better.

Hoping someone here has a mold. They passed a law making it illegal to use any weighted jigs or hooks with lead, under 1 oz.. Looking for someone to melt some bismuth/tin, to make us some "legal" swimbait hooks! Will be happy to reimburse you for your time, materials and shipping. Specifically looking for 3/8 - 1/2 oz. weights on a 5/0 or 6/0 hook; with or without the spring plastic attachment. If anyone knows of a retailer offering these non-lead type swimbait hooks, please do let me know! We are getting desperate here in the screwed up state! I am not looking for the expensive tungsten type either. Owner offers those at ridiculous prices. It's going to be expensive enough replacing all our jigs, sinkers and lures (we can't even use RoadRunners anymore or crappie jigs!). Thank you for any help/suggestions.

Nick - I hate to break it to you, but it matters not where you fish a good presentation; a good presentation is just that. I've slipped a big river for about 40 years now and it works very efficiently and effectively. And I've done it with an electric motor, several 10 hp's and 2 over 50 hp engines. Maybe you should try it? Zip Pow - Here's a link to Gapen and the book I'm referring to, with regards to slipping: http://www.gapen.com/Big_River_Fishing_Dan_Gapen_Sr_p/20111.htm

X2 - I agree, we definitely need more information. What is your definition of "small" pond? What's the deepest water in it? Do you have access to the deepest water? What is the water temp right now? What baits have you tried?

X2 - Take your gun to the range and shoot a low base load of #71/2's at paper at 10 yards. You'll be amazed at the destruction capability of this light load. And with this load, you don't have to worry about sending a double 0 buck pellet into your neighbor's house. However, regardless of what you get for home defense, practice a lot with it at the range. Remember, after the first shot, you will be blinded and you won't be able to hear anything.....so make it count!

In order to "learn" a river, you have spend a lot of time on it. What's been said here previously is good to get you going. One thing you need to learn is how to "slip" a river, if you want to be good at being a "river rat". This form of boat control keeps your bow upstream with the main engine running. Only you are going ahead just fast enough to literally slip backwards, slowly against the force of the current. The advantage of slipping a river (Google Dan Gapan) is that your jig or lure cast to the edges of eddys will stay in the stike zone longer and you can literally pick apart any structure you find. Trust me, it works.

I had a custom built .244/6mm Rem. made for me back in the late 60's and had it for many years. It was a semi-bull barreled and shot like a dream. Used it for chuck shooting mostly. My longest shot being 227 paces across a long field. Handloaded with Sierra's 85 gr. hollow point, boattails, this rifle would consistently keep her shots around an inch at 100 yards. I don't remember the load specifically, but it was with IMR 4350. The sharper shoulder and longer neck of the .244 makes this cartridge a more flexible handload and slightly ballistically superior to the .243. Not sure just why it never took off the way the .243 did, but if you have a .244 now, cherish it!

I have 3 Bionic Blades. Have had them for over 8 years now and they still work just fine. One is 7' MH, another is a 7' M and the last one is my 6'6" ML drop shot rod. Can't tell you how many fish I've caught with these rods. Like the old Ranger once said, "it'll do to ride the river".

Looking for something similar to what Cabelas is offering, for rental boat use. Here's the link to what they offer: http://www.cabelas.com/sonar-accessories-portable-transducer-bracket-3.shtml I already have a Sonar to use. I just need a way to adapt it to various boats. At $55.00 + shipping, I think the above offering is a tad on the expensive side. Looking for something similar, but less costly. I still have to buy a battery! Thanks for any suggestions.

The split ring size would vary depending on what size hook/bait/weight you are using. Just get a selection of split rings and give it a whirl. I am!

Thanks for all the input guys. I've done a search for lead free jigs and have a couple of companies in mind. However, most don't make large jig heads (i.e.: Lunker City "Perfect" jigs) or "Scrounger" type jig heads; both of which I use a lot for larger plastics such as paddle tail swimbaits. Also, I've yet to find a weight swimbait hook in anything other than lead. Funny thing about tungsten though. I was in manufacturing for more years than I care to think about and whenever machining of tungsten came up for a project, special suits and masks were required to be around it. I suppose, in it's innert state, the risk is minor, but more will be discovered about it in the near future, I'm sure. Trust me.....this lead ban is just the beginning. The tree huggers have only one goal in mind. To stop people from fishing.....period!

I never leave home without my Ruger SP101. And it's not far from my reach at home either. This is a very different time that we live in. Nothing like 50 years ago, that's for sure. And btw....I always sit with my back to the wall in any restaurant or business.

I agree, The Bass Pros is the most informative show this season. I have it set to record on the DVR every week. Most of the shows though are definitely product related. Like to see one where the guy goes fishing with differents brands during the same episode.

I would if I could afford it; but think about this: if you have to replace ALL your jigs, lures, hooks, sinkers and spinnerbaits - all at the drop of a hat - could you do it? I can't afford to do this, especially with the costly tungsten material. Besides, in a couple of years, they'll figure out that tungsten is 10X more toxic than lead, I'm betting that market will go kapoot in a hurry as well. JMO!

Hey Folks, MA just passed a law prohibiting the use of lead jigs and/or fishing lures, weighing less than 1 ounce for all waters. I am in need of finding a good source for plain and dressed crappie jigs, as well as bass jigs. I am especially interested in non-tungsten jigs, in order to keep the cost down on replacing my arsenal. Appreciate your input, THANKS!

I actually favor the front loaders from the top loading models. Used one for the last 7 years with no problems. Now I've gone down in size to a 360 size top loader as I do a lot of fishing in other people's boats and the big one is a bit heavy to tote around. Wish they made a 360 front loader!

The old Shannon Twin Spin was such a bait. The objective with multiple arms like that was to use the baits as a "drop" bait, where you lift & drop the spinner repeatedly through cover. Can be worked really slow. Unfortunately, they don't make them like they use to, with the large bucktail body. Deadly!

I love the action of this bait when rigged on a quality, weighted swimbait hook, texposed. However, after having 2 packages of the 5" size self destruct on me, I gave up on them. After casting the bait for awhile, the tail section would go flying off! Too expensive to have this happen this often. I did catch some decent bass on them, but not enough to make me feel better and off-set the expense.

The smallies on the Quabbin Res. love the blue/silver plate combo!

Where else can you find Yama Senkos @ 2 pks. for $10.00!

Assuming you have a boat, learn to use your sonar to find structure with bait fish on it. I you find deep, off-shore structure with bait, the smallies will not be far behind. Learn to drop shot. Never leave home without a suspending jerkbait tied on one of your rods as well. A plethora of information is contained in the articles at the lead in to each section, as well as up at the top. Good Luck!

I have seven swimbaits and 3 of them are Hudds. I really do believe what's alread been said, that you have to "committ" to it as your all day techinique. Targeting points and underwater structures that you are reasonably sure can/do hold the largest bass in the waters you fish. You may go one or two trips before you get even one hit though, so get your mind set correctly! But it will probably be a big hit when you do get it. With the Hudds, I like to cast it out, let it sink to the bottom and slow reel it back. I've seen many BIG follows using this technique. Have yet to get wacked by any giants however. But I'm still a believer.

I agree with J Franco, matching the hatch has little effect in your fishing success. Sometimes though, especially when fishing during or right after a cold front, bass can become downright arnery when it comes to selecting what to eat. Fortunately for us, bass can be "made" to strike. Unlike their trout cousins which have more of a tendency to "feed". "Matching the hatch" has become a very lucritive term for quite a few lure manufacturers though. Brainwash fishermen into believing that they "must" select a lure with just the right scale/color pattern (photo-finishes for instance) and fishermen will buy it. However, it's my belief that bass will eat based on opportunity, not color pattern. I could be wrong

Hard to beat an Abu 5500 series reel.

Over 40 years of fishing, I've never had a reel "blow" it's gears. And I fish a lot. I've had Shimanos, Pfluegers, Quantums, BPS and Garcia. Some of the lower end reels do have problems with a smooth drag system and make you "feel" the gears turning. As you move up the brand lines to more moderately priced reels, these traits are reduced dramatically. Most brand names today offer you moderately priced reels that flat out perform. They have to. It's a very competitive field. On the low end ($30. - $40.) I would have no problem buying a Garcia 100 series reel. Have 4 and still have them in use. On the moderate end ($50. - $75.), I don't think you can go wrong with a Shimano Sahara or Symetre if you have the additional funds. I have 3 of these, two being the Symetres. I can't tell the difference between them actually. These 3 reels see most of my fishing use currently and are over 5 years old. High end? I've never felt it necessary to go higher than the moderate price range actually. I don't have the money to spend +- $300. for a reel. And have never had the need to. JMO.